In the past couple of decades, Scandinavian countries have been making extra efforts to attract international students. How does it help them and their economy? It’s simple. Due to their harsh climate and testing lifestyles, seldom does one visit or reside in these states.
They have tackled this problem of lesser manpower by making their visa acquisition and student policies extremely flexible. Iceland does the same. So, what steps does this small country take to welcome students from around the world and build a strong interaction with other countries? Let’s find the answer in this article that will serve as a guidebook, detailing the steps to study in Iceland.
1. Iceland - A Bird’s Eye View
Known as the land of ice and fire, Iceland is home to many volcanoes. The climate here is usually cold although some variations in its southern and northern parts do exist. It’s mostly chilly out there, so the only months to enjoy the scenic beauty of this country are May and August. Otherwise, daylight is a miracle on winter days.
2. Standard of Living
3. Status of English Language
While most of the universities offer undergraduate programs in Icelandic, there are a few which provide graduate programs in English as well.
4. Higher Education Institutes in Iceland
- University of Iceland
- ReykjavÃk University
- The Agriculture University of Iceland
The seven institutes, as mentioned earlier, welcome international students every year. Around 5% of the 18,000 students enrolled in Icelandic universities as international students. So the ratio is pretty convincing.
5. Tuition fee
Some students can also enjoy extra perks if they go on an exchange program. To get more information about these programs, visit the official websites of these universities, and search for exchange programs there!
6. Structure of Education
Students are evaluated through written, oral and practical examinations. Much like the Pakistani system, assignments, projects, and assessments are conducted throughout the academic year to ensure quality education. To maintain one standard of evaluation in the entire state, ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) works in Iceland. Study credits are calculated through this system.
One year of full-time study provides 60 credits while one semester of full-time study gives 30 credits.
7. Scholarships for Pakistani Students
These grants are mainly aimed at raising awareness about the rich history, culture, and languages of Iceland, isolated from the international view.
8. Accommodation for International Students
The permits vary in their validity of time. Students enrolled in bachelor's and master's courses get a permit valid for six months, or for one semester at a time. Students enrolled in doctoral courses can use the permit for one year. After this time frame, they need to regularly renew their permits to maintain a residence in Iceland.
Once the residence permit has been acquired, the next step is applying to the Icelandic Student Services (Félagsstofnun students) for housing. This nationwide service provides apartments or flats to the students, by keeping in mind their preference and feasibility.
9. Work Permits

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